Scripted

 BBC Studios has announced a wave of global sales for Death Valley, with more than 100 markets set to air the breakout comedy-drama just one year after its MIPCOM 2024 debut.

Produced by BBC Studios Comedy Productions, the six-part series delivered the biggest UK overnights audience for a new scripted title in five years at launch. Its international roll-out includes BritBox (North America), Mystery Channel (Japan), Coupang (South Korea), Cosmo (Spain), COSMOTE TV (Greece) and TVNZ (New Zealand), alongside additional broadcast partners across Australia, Asia, and Europe.

Written by Paul Doolan (Mammoth, Trollied), Death Valley (6x45’) stars BAFTA-winner Timothy Spall (The Sixth Commandment, Mr Turner) as eccentric retired actor John Chapel, a national treasure best known for his role in fictional detective hit Caesar. When his neighbour is murdered, John teams up with Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth, Alex Rider, Hidden). Together, this oddball duo tackle gripping weekly cases set against breathtaking Welsh landscapes.

Janet Brown, President, Global Content Sales, BBC Studios, commented:“Death Valley’s rapid success, from record-breaking ratings in the UK to standout global sales, underlines the creative strength of BBC Studios Comedy. It’s a quintessentially British series with universal appeal, brought to life by an exceptional cast and crew. With Series 2 already in production, we’re confident its journey is only just beginning.”

At MIPCOM 2025, Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips will join Janet Brown for a keynote session, Powerful Storytelling for a Global Stage, on Monday 13 October (10:30–11:00 CET, Creative Hub). Phillips will outline her vision for the future of BBC storytelling and its partnership-first approach, followed by a discussion on how cross-BBC collaboration is driving new opportunities for premium content worldwide.

Scripted Slate Highlights – MIPCOM 2025
BBC Studios will present three major scripted titles to international buyers:

Waiting for the Out (w/t) (6x50’, Sister Productions) – Based on Andy West’s acclaimed memoir The Life Inside and written by multi-award-winning Dennis Kelly, this prison-set drama stars BAFTA-nominated Josh Finan (The Responder). A young philosopher teaching inmates sparks fierce debates on freedom, dominance and morality — exposing both unexpected passions and rising tensions.

Mint (8x60’, Fearless Minds/House Productions) – Created, written and directed by Charlotte Regan (Scrapper), this darkly comic and unconventional drama explores the love, humour, heartbreak and strangeness of life within a crime family, and what happens when someone is forced to seize control of it.

Twenty Twenty-Six (6x30’, Expectation) – From John Morton (W1A, Twenty Twelve), this satirical comedy sees Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) return as Director of Integrity for the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged, spanning the USA, Canada and Mexico. With 48 nations and 16 venues across North America, Fletcher faces his most chaotic challenge yet.

BBC Studios will be based at P0.E1 in the Verrière section of the Palais des Festivals during MIPCOM 2025.